Grow Collard Greens In Your Garden This Year

Growing Collard Greens: A Gardener's Guide

Collard greens are one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetables you can grow in a home garden. Their wide, sturdy leaves and rich, earthy flavor make them a favorite for both cooking and gardening enthusiasts alike.

Why Grow Collard Greens?

First, they’re incredibly resilient. Collard greens can handle cooler temperatures and even light frosts, which actually improve their flavor. This makes them perfect for extending your growing season.

Second, they are a nutritional powerhouse. Packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, they’re as good for your body as they are for your plate. If you’ve ever sautéed a bunch of fresh collard greens with garlic and olive oil, you know they taste as good as they look growing in your garden.

“Collard greens are among the most frost-tolerant vegetables, withstanding temperatures as low as 20°F.”

Preparing Your Garden

Collards thrive in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. If your soil feels heavy or clay-like, mix in compost or aged manure to loosen it up and add nutrients. I’ve found they do best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8, so testing your soil is worth the effort.

Choose a spot with full sun for optimal growth. While they’ll tolerate partial shade, their leaves won’t grow as large or as tender. Trust me—big, tender leaves are what you’re after.

Planting Collard Greens

You can start collard greens from seeds or transplants. If you’re sowing seeds directly, plant them about ¼ inch deep and thin seedlings to 18-24 inches apart once they’re a few inches tall. Transplants should also be spaced 18-24 inches apart to give them room to grow.

For timing, plant in early spring for a summer harvest or late summer for a fall and winter crop. I usually aim for 6-8 weeks before the first frost for a fall planting. The cooler temperatures really intensify their sweetness.

Watering and Feeding

Collard greens love consistent moisture. Water them deeply once or twice a week, depending on rainfall. Mulching around the plants helps retain soil moisture and keeps weeds at bay. I use straw or shredded leaves—it’s simple and effective.

As heavy feeders, they benefit from regular fertilization. I like to feed mine with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea every few weeks. This keeps the leaves vibrant and productive.

Pest and Disease Management

Like any brassica, collard greens can attract pests like cabbage worms and aphids. Inspect the undersides of leaves regularly and remove any pests by hand. If you notice holes in the leaves, it’s likely caterpillars.

For organic pest control, I rely on floating row covers and occasional applications of neem oil or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). It’s worked wonders without harming pollinators.

Diseases are less common but can still occur. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal issues.

Harvesting Collard Greens

Collard greens are ready to harvest in about 60-75 days from planting, depending on the variety. I prefer to harvest leaves individually as needed, starting with the outermost leaves. Leaving the smaller inner leaves intact allows the plant to keep producing.

If you’re growing for a big meal, like a Southern-style feast, you can cut the entire plant at the base. Either way, use a sharp knife or scissors to avoid damaging the stalk.

My Favorite Varieties

• Georgia Southern: A classic heirloom variety with large, tender leaves and excellent cold tolerance.
• Vates: Compact and perfect for smaller gardens, this variety is slow to bolt and incredibly flavorful.
• Morris Heading: Known for its slightly crinkled leaves and ability to form loose heads, it’s a standout in both taste and appearance.

Cooking and Storing

Freshly harvested collard greens are best when cooked soon after picking, but they’ll store in the fridge for up to a week. Blanching and freezing leaves is another great option if you harvest in bulk—I do this every fall to enjoy garden-fresh greens all winter.

For cooking, the possibilities are endless. Whether braised in broth, sautéed with aromatics, or tossed into soups, their hearty texture holds up beautifully. I’ve even used tender young leaves in wraps for a low-carb alternative to tortillas.

A Final Thought

Growing collard greens is simple, satisfying, and endlessly rewarding. They’re a low-maintenance crop that keeps on giving, whether you’re feeding your family or your soil. If you’ve never grown them before, this is your year to try.

Growing collard greens is a great way to increase your access to fresh, nutrient-rich food in your own home. From soups and salads to side dishes and entrées, collard greens can be used in a variety of ways to boost the nutritional content of your meals. Plus growing them will not only save you money but will provide you with the satisfaction of providing sustainable, healthy and tasty food for your family and friends! So why wait? Get growing collard greens today!